Thursday, January 5, 2012

Bookanistas: FIVE FLAVORS OF DUMB by Antony John

Plot without spoilers…Seventeen-year-old, deaf Piper may be the last person you'd imagine landing the role of manager of a high school rock band called Dumb--it's probably the last thing she imagined doing herself. But, between her parents' "borrowing" from her college savings and her best friend (the only other deaf kid at their school) moving away, senior year is looking like it'll be a disaster already, senior year is already a bit of a nightmare so she somehow stumbles into the chaotic role. Piper got a lot to learn, not just about management and the music scene, but about hopes and dreams and people and art...and maybe about how to be happy.

Of literary interest…TThe notions of hearing and communicating, giving and receiving, through speech, sign, expression, body language and music are twisted, turned and examined with incredible elegance and insight. This is a beautifully crafted novel, with a unique and compelling protagonist. There were moments when I began to worry I was getting near the end because I didn't want to leave Piper and the band!Finally, just gotta say…I love the way the author weaves the stories of Kurt Cobain and Jimi Hendrix into the story with such passion for their music. Oh, and the scenes with Piper and Ed in the coffee shop are great: clean, simple, and sometimes a little smokin' :)

And here's more Happy New Year Bookanista deliciousness for you...Elana Johnson offers musings on her Bookanista moments

3 comments:

Thanks so much for the lovely review, Stasia. And congrats on AUDITION, about which I have heard WONDERFUL things. I can't wait to check it out, and to satisfy my insatiable need for YA novels focussing on the performing arts!

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